Everyone in the Fayette area is invited to join together for community-wide book reads called, “Fayette Reads Together,” beginning in June. There will be several opportunities to discuss and explore books with several occasions for discussion, group conversations, videos, speakers, and other formats to learn. The project is sponsored by the group, Fayette Together, which was formed two years ago to help bring the community together. 

The first book is The Sum of Us by author Heather McGhee. Ms. McGhee is an expert in economic and social policy that chairs the board of Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. The book’s subtitle is, “What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.” McGhee informs us with extensive historical and economic analysis interspersed with personal conversations and real-life events from communities across the nation to help us understand the Solidarity Dividend: “benefits we all have to gain when people come together across race to accomplish what we simply can’t do on our own.”

The book is available in bookstores, online, and in audio format. The Fayette Public Library has several copies available now for check out. Those interested may preview the book through various YouTube interviews by Heather McGhee and through reviews. 

There will be a public discussion of the book during the annual Juneteenth Celebration, which is slated for June 16 through 19. The times and places for further meetings of Fayette Reads Together will be announced later.